Return-ball



m Model W. LIBBEY.

RETURN BALL.

No. 443,859. Patented Dec. 30,1890.

- 'Fi .1. .1"- j UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IIOSEA XV. LIBBEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.-

RETURN BALL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,859, dated December30, 1890.

Application filed April 30, 1890'. Serial No. 350,001- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, HOSEA W. LIBBEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bos ton, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in aReturn-Ball and Catch, of which the following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in toys; and it consists ofa handle provided with a short metallic sharp spur or point havingoneend of an elastic cord attached thereto, a soft wooden ball beingattached to the other end of the elastic cord, so that a person holdingthe handle in his hand can throw the ball away from him, which, beingreturned by the elastic cord, can be caught upon the metallic spur.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a toyembodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows a modification, the end of thehandle being provided with a protector to prevent the ball from strikingthe hand. Fig. 3 shows the metallic spur or point covered by aprotectingcap. Fig. 4 shows a handle with the metallic spur or point onits side. Fig. 5 shows the end of the handle provided with springsinstead of a spur to catch the ball.

A represents the handle in full size; B, the metallic spur or point; C,the elastic cord, and D the ball of soft wood, cork, or other suitablematerial.

The spur B, I form with a shank b and a collar 1). I prefer to securethe elastic cord 0 onto the spur or point B below the collar 1'), sothat when the shank b is driven into the handle the cord will besecurely held between the collar b and the handle.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the handle provided at its outer end with a guardor shield E, so that should the party playing miss catching the ball onthe spur B it will be deflected off by the shield and not strike hishand.

In Fig. 3. I have shown a cap or thimble F for covering the spur whennot in use. This cap I prefer to make of the form shown-that is, with aslight curved enlargement at its base, so that it can be readily sprungonto or off the collar 1).

In Fig. 4c I have shown the spur on the side of the handle.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification in which a series of curvedsprings B take the place of the spur. In this case if the ball is caughtfairly in the center the springs will yield to allow it to pass beyondthe outer edges and then close over it, so as to hold it fast. Three ormore of these springs maybe employed, as desired.

When the handle is held in the hand, the ball will hang down, as shownin Figs. 1 and 5, and by imparting a quick backward and forward movementto the handle the ball will be thrown up and away from the party holdingthe same the distance allowed by the elastic cord, which returns ittoward the handle, and the party holding the handle has to catch theball upon the spur or point B or in the springs B.

It will be seen that to catch the ball upon the spur or point B or bythe springs B each time it is thrown it will require a very sure aim anda steady eye.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination, the handle A, spurB, elastic cord 0, and ball D, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, the handle A, spur B, shield E, elastic cord 0, andball D, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with the handle A, elastic cord 0, ball D, and spur B,the thimble E, for protecting the point of the spur when not in use,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 29th day of March, A. D.1800.

HOSEA W. LIBBEY. Witnesses:

CHAS. STEELE, EDWIN PLANTA.

